As spring kicks in with beautiful daffodils blooming, and a flurry of outdoor barbeques and parties taking place, some brides out there are planning the most special day of their lives, and we know the spring wedding begins and ends with the special white dress meant for her. As we delved further into the mystery of the white dress that turns every girl into a princess, here are some interesting facts about how the dress came into being.

Weddings of a time past, the color lost in time

Weddings in the Middle Ages were more about a political and religious union rather than about love and two people. Brides were betrothed to the most appropriate suitor chosen by the family that could provide the best nobility and a higher social class. Brides therefore wore rich and bold colors in the richest fabrics of furs, velvet and silk that portrayed the financial status of the family.

Who wore the first white wedding dress?

The first bride who wore white was Princess Philippa of England. Her dress consisted of a tunic with a cloak in white silk that was bordered with a grey squirrel and ermine. The next bride was Mary, Queen of Scots who wore white being her favorite color, even though it was seen a color of mourning for the French nobility. What’s ironic is that black was a popular choice for wedding dresses back then, especially in Scandinavia.

White became particularly popular in the 1840s, after the wedding of Queen Victoria, where many brides opted for white due to the aristocratic label it now had after being handpicked by the Queen. The white trend lingered on until today but the styles have evolved drastically.

A white wedding dress means…

Contrary to the beliefs that brides chose white dresses because it represented virginity, according to sources white was known as an opportunity for ‘conspicuous consumption’ due to limited laundering techniques. This meant to show the wealth prominence of the family where the bride wore an elaborate dress that could be ruined during the event and therefore worn only once.

Another happier theory is that white represents purity and luck to the marriage and therefore a bride donned in that shade would bring about luck and joy. Other lucky shades are considered to be silver, gold, blue and pink, and the veil was considered a symbol of modesty. White became a choice for the elite class brides and the trend was fully adopted in the 20th century. Another boost for the white dress was Princess Diana and Prince Charles royal wedding, where one of out every six people on the globe watched the most influential white wedding of the century.

The modern day white dress

Current trends today consist of anything you feel comfortable in, literally. It could be a Victorian style Zuhair Murad Chantilly Lace Puffy Ivory Wedding Dress or a Dolce & Gabbana White Pant Suit. A lot of brides opt for sleeveless and strapless dresses while the popularity is rising for long sleeved gowns after Duchess Kate’s famous long sleeved lace dress designed by Sarah Burton of the Alexander McQueen fashion house.

As we rummage our ever expanding closet, we have some gorgeous and really exclusive wedding dresses from luxurious ateliers worldwide such as Elie Saab, Vera Wang and Marchesa. We have something for a bride of every size and taste.

Elie Saab Erato Wedding Dress Size M

This breath taking wedding gown by Elie Saab is the ideal mixture of timelessness with an art deco design. It is made from sublime Chantilly lace in a peonies design. Lined with silk, this wedding gown features a v-cut flirty back and an impeccable train. Match it with nude Louboutins for the perfect chic wedding look. This dress comes with a matching veil.

Was: AED 39,048 Now AED 7,245

Vera Wang Audrey Luxe Wedding Dress Size L

Feel like royalty in this superb feminine Vera Wang Audrey Luxe Wedding Gown. Made from the perfect combination of blush silk and white lace, this strapless wedding gown features flower motifs at the bust, a waist belt and a ruffled mermaid bottom.

Was: AED 47,742 Now AED 14,785

Vera Wang Sheath Wedding Dress Size M

Complete your big day in this Sheath Wedding Gown by Vera Wang. Made from beautiful silk in a cream hue, this majestic dress features a double layer, front and side gathers and a deep front and back v-neckline. It is accented with a beautiful train. Perfect for a simple and sleek look on your day or the reception after.

Was: AED 13,231 Now AED 7,500

Elie Saab Couture Wedding Dress Size XS

Look your best on your big day in this Elie Saab Couture Wedding Gown from his couture collection. The subtle fusion of the exquisite Chantilly lace with the heavenly chiffon ruffles and sparkling crystals make this wedding dress every bride’s dream. This dress comes with a matching embellished bolero and veil.

Was: AED 90,000 Now AED 26,340

Vera Wang Natural White Wedding Dress Size M

This strapless gorgeous natural white wedding gown is accented with embroidered flower detailing. It is crafted from white and ivory polyester and is equipped with a back zipper. Make your wedding day a dream come true with this exquisite Vera Wang creation.

Was: AED 20,075 Now AED 5,815

Marchesa Floral Couture Gown Size S

Brides in the know look for Marchesa for the perfect wedding dress. Blending both founders sense of design and textile expertise resulted in the establishment of Marchesa in 2004. This strapless gown is made from tulle. The attention is focused on your waist and chest thanks to the floral embroidery embellishment. For a polished look, wear this dress with satin heels and a statement making necklace.